Commanders OTAs

The Commanders are in OTAs. So are a lot of NFL Teams. All of them seem excited about 2023. I congratulate fans and commentators alike on winning the Offseason Super Bowl something every team in the league does every year.

I thought Mike Martz's comments on Sam Howell were interesting. Rico at Street Scores has that posted. I think I said the 1999 Rams, a team Martz was offensive coordinator for, were in a similar situation the Commanders are now in. Does that mean the Commanders make the Super Bowl and set offensive records? Not necessarily. 

But it does mean some people may not see the Commanders coming. Even if they go 9-8 that would shock most of today's commentators.

Chase Young was not in attendance at Commanders OTAs. That is not unusual for him. I don't think he understands what is expected of an NFL player. I think the injury is an issue and I would understand reducing the opportunity for bad luck to manifest. But I'm not sure he has command enough of the defense to excuse himself. Montez Sweat does seem to have a decent command of the defense. So yes, Sweat missing OTAs has less impact.

But then the defense functioned well last year WITHOUT Chase. There are people who can take his place on the team. Perhaps do less freelancing. They don't have to deconstruct their egos and rebuild them. Ego can kill NFL careers. Will it kill Chase's? I don't know. 

It can be a big block if you think your game can't be improved.

I remember John Riggins missing some practices. I remember Riggo spending game week in traction. But Riggo was Super Bowl MVP. A master of the game. Chase is not yet a master of the game. Ray Lewis was a master of the game. Jack Del Rio got him to attend team functions.

Fans in Washington have nightmares about situations like this. Albert Haynesworth was a potential league MVP. He just did not have the desire. Chase Young plus desire equals 20 sacks. Chase Young minus desire may equal Haynesworth. That's what bugs us fans.

Some people just don't like the game. It happens.

But forgive me if I wait to see Chase play this year before relegating him to another ego bust situation.